"A few minutes before 6 last night, David Ortiz emerged on the field at Camden Yards to a smattering of applause from fans clustered near the visiting team's dugout.

Until Friday, they may be the only cheers the Red Sox designated hitter receives.

Ortiz, initially suspended four games for his role in a July 8 brawl with the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park, had his penalty cut to three games and his undisclosed fine reduced by Major League Baseball. He began serving the suspension last night and will miss the current three-game series with the Orioles.

"I know doing what I did wasn't the right thing to do," Ortiz said prior to the Sox' 15-10 victory in the series opener. "I'm going to be punished because of that, like anyone else. I just want to get it over with and continue the season."

In accordance with his suspension, Ortiz will remain with the Red Sox and go through his normal pregame routine, including batting practice. But once the games start, he isn't allowed to be in uniform or in the dugout.

Orioles closer Kevin Gregg also had his punishment sliced to three games and will miss this week's series. Gregg angered Ortiz by throwing three consecutive inside pitches, then shouting at him after he flew out in the July 8 meeting."